Chu Ruoyan shuddered violently, followed by her father’s puzzled voice: "How reliable is this information? How dare Third Yan leave on his wedding day—isn’t he afraid of being discovered?"
The Jian'an Count replied, "The news came from Grand Tutor Rong..."
"What?!" Everyone in the room gasped. He continued, "His daughter has been at Princess Ansheng’s residence these past two days and was only sent back to the Rong family this morning to prepare for the wedding. As soon as she returned, she told the Grand Tutor about this... and even claimed that Princess Ansheng is involved!"
A collective intake of cold breath filled the room. Prince Qin declared firmly, "That’s impossible!"
"Your Highness, please calm your anger. These were indeed Second Miss Rong’s own words... She also said that at the banquet, Third Yan would feign drunkenness, leaving her—the bride—and Princess Ansheng to manage the guests while he slips out of the city before the gates close at dusk to mobilize troops."
Prince Qin scoffed coldly, "Princess Ansheng must have been deceived by Third Yan! She’s always been compassionate and kind-hearted—how could she commit such treasonous acts?"
Noticing the tense atmosphere, Su Tingyun interjected, "Your Highness, please restrain your anger. Perhaps, as Princess Ansheng has only Yan Zheng as her son, her maternal love clouded her judgment. But the pressing matter now is the Western Mountain Camp—it’s filled with the Yan family’s old loyalists. If Yan Zheng truly secures the tiger tally to command them, the capital will be in grave danger!"
Chu Huaishan added gravely, "Indeed. But tonight’s banquet requires our attendance. Who among us can break away to handle this?"
The room fell silent until the Jian'an Count suddenly suggested, "Lord Su could go! You have a feud with Yan Zheng—skipping the banquet would raise no suspicion. Moreover, you command the Shuntian Prefecture’s forces. You’re the most suitable to lead troops out of the city—Who’s there?!"
He whipped his head toward the door as Murong Jin kicked it open and lunged forward.
But he froze mid-action upon recognizing Chu Ruoyan, frowning. "County Princess Changle?"
Chu Huaishan and the others followed him out. Su Tingyun’s expression tightened at the sight of her. "How much did you hear just now?"
Chu Ruoyan remained silent, her gaze fixed deeply on her father. "Father, have none of you considered this might be a trap?"
Chu Huaishan was taken aback. The Jian'an Count asked, "Why would you say that, County Princess?"
"That Yan... Yan Zheng—what kind of man is he? If he truly intended rebellion, would he let Second Miss Rong know and risk exposure?" She clenched her fingers, forcing her voice to remain steady. "Besides, the Western Mountain Camp is far. His legs have only just healed—why take such a risk? Meanwhile, within the capital, aside from the Five City Military Division, only Shuntian Prefecture’s forces are deployable. If troops are lured out of the city, what if he launches his coup here instead?"
Her reasoning gave them pause, and the men began to reconsider.
But Su Tingyun studied her intently before suddenly stating, "You’re lying."
Chu Ruoyan’s heart skipped a beat. His gaze was pained as he said slowly, "Had I not known how deeply you care for Third Yan, I might have believed you. But County Princess Changle, you would never harm him. This argument is just a diversion to stop me from leading troops out of the city, isn’t it?"
Her lips trembled. "No! He’s marrying someone else—I wouldn’t—"
"Then swear it! Swear on his life—if a single word you’ve said is false, may Yan Zheng die without a burial!"
The words died on her lips. She stared at Su Tingyun in disbelief, unable to reconcile this ruthless demand with the gentle nobleman she knew.
Yet Su Tingyun only looked at her with sorrow. "You can’t, can you? County Princess Changle, this time, I must kill him." With a bow to the others, he left to prepare.
As Chu Ruoyan tried to speak again, Chu Huaishan yanked her back. "Enough, Yan’er!"
"I thought you’d given up on him, yet here you are, still blinded! But tonight concerns the fate of the empire—I can’t indulge your recklessness any longer. Chu Zhong!"
Chu Zhong stepped forward, bowing. Chu Huaishan ordered coldly, "From this moment on, take ten Chu Wei and guard the young mistress’s courtyard. If she steps even one foot beyond its gates, you’ll answer with your lives!"
"Father!!"
Chu Ruoyan’s voice rose sharply, but she bit back the words threatening to spill out.
I can’t say it!
None of them believed Princess Ansheng was the mastermind!
And with so many eyes and ears around, if even one spy lurked among them, Yan Zheng would be in peril.
Chu Huaishan shook his head in disappointment and retreated inside.
Chu Zhong bowed again. "Young Mistress, please."
With no choice, Chu Ruoyan returned to the Bodhi Courtyard.
---
Meanwhile, at the Yan Residence.
The ceremonial official had urged him repeatedly, yet the wedding robes lay untouched on the bed.
Meng Yang hesitated. "Young Master..."
Yan Zheng raised a hand to silence him, his expression unreadable.
Just then, Shadow returned, gesturing to Meng Yang, who brightened. "Excellent news, Young Master! The Sixth... that matter is resolved!"
Only then did Yan Zheng lift his gaze slightly. "What’s the hour?"
"Three quarters past the Hour of the Monkey. The auspicious time is less than an hour away..." Meng Yang wanted to persuade him—having come this far, why not endure a little longer?
But Yan Zheng suddenly flicked his sleeve. A dagger flashed, slicing through the wedding robes with a rip.
"Young Master, what—?!"
There was only one set of robes, and at this hour, replacing them was impossible.
Yet Yan Zheng replied calmly, "The night is dark. No one will notice. Have Shadow mend it."
Shadow promptly produced needle and thread, sitting attentively by the bed to sew the tear.
Meng Yang’s lips twitched.
The realm’s deadliest assassin, using his lethal hands to stitch wedding attire—it was absurd beyond words.
But now wasn’t the time for distractions. He lowered his voice. "Young Master, let this subordinate accompany you to mobilize troops tonight."
Though the mission was secret, the round trip to the Western Mountain Camp would take at least two hours. With Yan Zheng’s leg injury not fully healed, Meng Yang was uneasy.
Yan Zheng shook his head. "If both of us are absent from the banquet, it’ll raise suspicion."
"Then send Shadow with you!"
"Shadow must enter the palace to watch the Emperor." Yan Zheng smirked coldly. "Our Emperor may be a fool, but he’s still the linchpin holding things together. If he dies, who do you think will scramble for the throne—the Pei or Xue families? And who would benefit most? Our dear Princess Ansheng."
Meng Yang fretted. "But Old Xu is slow and untrained in combat—he can’t protect you! Are you going alone?"
"Alone?" Yan Zheng tapped Meng Yang’s head with a scroll. "Princess Ansheng has already arranged escorts. No need to worry. I’ll find a way to eliminate them en route."
Just then, the ceremonial official’s frantic voice carried in. "My dear Chief Minister! The firecrackers are about to be lit—have you changed yet?!"
Yan Zheng’s brow furrowed as Shadow presented the mended robe.
The tear was flawlessly repaired—except for one deliberately left stitch.
The unfinished seam mirrored the inevitable imperfection of this wedding.
A faint smile touched Yan Zheng’s lips as his eyes softened. "Well done."
